Morning journal and courier., 1887-11-03
Francis Palms Gratitude


 The world knows little of the inner lives of even the most conspicuous men. The late Francis Palms was generally regarded as superlatively close. Many thought him hard, miserly, pitiless-his sole object in life accumulation of money and his recreation the inventing of methods whereby to lessen the cost of living.
 Unquestionably he was anything but a riotous liver, and there is none to dispute his willingness to see his millions multiply; but that he was heartless, cruel, grasping and relentless is not true. The relation of one in- cident in his money-getting life will show that beneath his glittering and cold exterior beat a responsive and grateful heart.
 When he came to Detroit, a young man in quest of employment, he found friend in one of Detroit's most prominent inhabi- tants. Mr. Palms became a bookkeeper. On quitting that employment he drifted into a pine land deal Without large capital he soon found himself between the upper and neither millstones, where he was like to be ground fine. Then his friend caught him from financial destruction-cheated the mill stones of their grist and sent the young specu lator spinning up the hill of fortune.
 Years afterward, when Francis Palms had become known far and wide as the richest man in Michigan and his friend had drifted from his anchorage into the whirlpool of com mercial danger the former found his opportun- ity and his heart and "went on" the old mer- chants paper for $200, 900.
 An acquain tance of Palms met him one day, warned him that the maker of that paper was in shaky condition and coun- seled him to get from under with all possible haste.
 GAS near as I can figure it." said the acquaintance, ''you are in for about $100,- OO0"
 ''Well'' said Palms, calmly disdaining to correct the misapprehension as to the sum of his indorsements, "my name is good, sup poses"
 "Why-oh, certainly, MT. Palms, by all means. merely wanted to give you friend ly hint"
 kindly heart of the man-to say nothing of his commercial sagacity and his practical sense in dealing with money problems-was shown by later developments. The friend died with Francis Palms still his endorser for $2OO, ,0O0. The estate of the once ap- parently invineible old merchant tottered on the brink of ruin- The executors held a serious consultation with the creditor whom they, in common with the general community, | looked upon as a Shylock whom nothing could move from his purpose to have hls pound of flesh. They said to him in sub- stance, "Mr Palms, you practically own this estate On what terms shall we turn 1t over to you!''
 'EHoid on, gentlemen" was the response, | ''Go slow and let see what is the best thing to be done. An, to be sure. Go back, gentlemen; go back to the widow of my | old friend and assure her that l shall not press my claim. You are sensible men, business men, honest men, I'm sure, and want to do everything for the good of your | trust. Dispose of your assets on the most l advantageous terms you can. That done and you must take plenty time; mind gentlemen, plenty time-you can not only l pay me, but leave the widow very comforta l ble indeed"
 Thus encouraged, these faithful executors set to work with new zeal. In time they steered the bark into snug harbor, paid of every dollar that stood against the estate and left the widow, as Palms declared they could ! "very comfortable indeed"